Control handle



Feb. 14, 1933.

R. MARPLE CONTROL HANDLE Filed 110v. 8, 1928 Patented Feb. 14, 1933UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BOLLO MARBLE, F JACKSON, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNORT0 HANCOCK MANUFACTURING CO.,

OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN common HANDLE"Application filed November s, 1928. Serial No. 318,081.

This invention relates to improvements in control handles for latchesand the like and more particularly to handles of the so-called of thefree locking type for operatively connecting a latch spindle to anoperatin han-.

dle so as to prevent locking of the spin le and handle together exceptin one angular relationship.

Another object is to provide a novel and extremely rugged meansforoperatively connecting the handle proper of a free locking latchcontrol device to its associated latch spindle.

The invention also aims to provide anew and im roved construction of andmounting for the ocki-ng member. in a control handle of the abovecharacter. 7

Still another object is to provide a new and improved spring device foractuating the locking member in a handle construction of the presenttype.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing, in which Figures 1 and 2 are fragmentary sectionalviews taken along a plane substantially through the rotational axis of acontrol handle embodying the features of the present invention andrespectively showing the parts disconnected from and connected to alatch spindle. Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional views taken along the lines3-3 and 4-4 of Figs. 1 and 2.

respectively. v

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications andalternativeconstructions, I have shown in the drawing and will of theinvention as expressed in the appended claims.

In its exemplary form illustrated in the drawing the improved handle ismounted on the outer side of a door 5 and arranged to rotate a spindle 6which extends into the door for operative association with the latch bywhich opening of, the door is controlled. Actuation of the handle may beeffected by gripping an elongated cross bar in the form of a shell 7receiving intermediate its ends and secured to a tubular stem 8 ofrelatively small diameter. The end of the stem is seated in a socketprovided by an escutcheon plate 9 secured to the door.

Extending through the stem 8 is a sleeve 10 of relatively small diameterconstituting a.

casing in which are contained the parts for locking the cross bar 7 tothe latch spindle 6.

The outer end of the sleeve terminates with- .in the shell 7 and hasradially projecting lugs 11 which serve to secure the sleeve againstrotation relative to the shell.-

The sleeve projects beyond the end of the stem 8 and has an integralflange 12 at its inner end with a square opening therein through whichthe squared portion of the spindle 6 may move axially to permit assemblyof the entire handle unit from the open or outer end of the sleeve. Anannular groove 13 cut in the spindle permits of relative rotationbetween the sleeve and the spindle when in assembled relation as shownin Fig. 1.

Integrally formed on the outer end of the spindle adjacent the groove 13is a head 14 of cylindrical external contour journaled'in the sleeve 10and abutting against the inner surface of the flange 12 so as to preventwithdrawal of the sleeve and the handle so longas the spindle is securedto the door against endwise movement. The head 14 is recessed at its endto form an annular flange 15in which apair of alined and longitudinallyextending notches 16 and 16 are cut on diametrically opposite sidesthereof. To make these notches of different lengths the end recess inthe head 14 is formed with an in- 5 clined end surface 16 as shown inFig. 1.

Two elongated slots 17 and 17 a of rectangular shape are cut in thesleeve 10 beyond the end of the stem 8, the slot 17 being longer thanthe slot 17 a and overlapping the head 14 so as to register with thenotch 16 when the handle and the spindle 6 are in a single predeterminedangular relationship. The slot 17* and the corresponding portion of thenotch 16 constitute a diametrical guideway for a locking member in theform of a slide 18 whose overall length is somewhat greater than theoutside diameter of the sleeve 10 and whose width longitudinally of thespindle axis is slightly less than the distance between the end of theflange 15 and the outer end of the slots.

. Two lugs 19 and 20 projecting longitudinally of the sleeve 10 areformed integral with the slide 18 and so spaced relative to each otherthat the lug 19 will be disposed wholly within the end recess of thehead 14 and the lug 20 will be exposed externally of the head when theparts are in disconnected relation as shown in Fig. 1. The longitudinallength of the lugs is slightly less than the depth of theircorresponding notches 16 and 16" into which the lugs may move as shownin Fig; 2 to provide a double lock for effectually locking the spindle 6and the sleeve 10 against relative rotation. By thus blocking thespindle head at two points, an extremely rugged construction is providedby which the desired degree of resistance to torsional and shearing-stresses is obtained, at the same time permitting the overall dimen-'sions of the connecting parts to be reduced to a minimum. This featureis important in automobile handle constructions where there are fixedlimitations on the sizes of the stem 8 and the escutcheon plate 9.Preferably-the lug 20 is longer than the length of the notch 16 in thehead 14 so that it cannot lock the handle and the latch spindle togetherwhen the notch 16 registers with the slot 17, but only in such angularrelation of the handle and spindle as will bring the notch 16 and theslot 17 into register, as is shown in Figs. 1 and 3. This is importantin handle constructions for automobiles where it is desirable, in orderto maintain a neat and artistic external appearance to have all of thedoor handles in a' predetermined position when the handles and latchspindles are locked together. Furthermore, such a handle is moreconvenient to operate because of the natural tendency to grasp 'theelongated end of the handle shell 7 and because it avoids feeling forthe locked position of the handle relative to the spindle.

The parts of the connecting mechanism This means comprises which aredisposed externally of the sleeve 10 are protected by a retainlng member21 seated in a recess 1n the door 5 and having a cylindrical portiontelescoping with the escutcheon plate 9 and a flange 22 abutting againstthe end of the sleeve.

A novel means is rovided for urging the slide 18 into its locliingposition (Fig. 2).

form of a relatively thin strip ofresilient metal disposed externally ofand extending substantially around the sleeve 10. The clip engages thelug 20 substantially intermedlate its ends, this relation beingmaintained by a lug 23 formed by an indentation in the c ip andextending into a recess 24 in the lug 20. The spring is initiallystressed so that it tends to contract and urge the slide 18 inwa'dlytoward the position shown in Figs. 2 an 4.

The locking slide 18 is arranged for actuation by a key controlled meansin the form of a barrel lock 25 rotatably mounted within the sleeve 10and having at its inner end an eccentric stud 26 disposed in anelongated recess 27 in the slide 18. The usual tumblers 28 are carriedby the barrel lock and are spring pressed outwardly so as to enter alongitudinal slot 29 in the sleeve 10 when the barrel is rotated fromthe position shownin F fgs. 2 and 4 to that shown in Figs. 1 and 3,

a spring clip 23 in the the barrel being thereby locked against rotationwithin the sleeve. In this movement the stud 26 acts asa cam on the endsurface 30 of the recess 27 and moves the slide against the action ofthe spring 23 to position the lug 20 externally of the notch 16 and thelug 19 within the end recess of the head 14. In this position the sleeve10 is free for rotation relative to the spindle head 14. When the barrel25 is again released by the key the slide 18 tends to move inwardlyunder the action of the spring 23 and actually moves into lockmgposition (Fig. 2) when the notch 16 registers with the lug 20.

The barrel lock is closed at its outer end by the usual cap 31 and has ahole-32 through which the proper key can be inserted to withdraw thelock tumblers from the slot 29 and permit turning of the barrel withinthe sleeve.

The parts of the handle thus provided are of extremely simple andinexpensive construction and can be conveniently assembled as a unitready for mounting in a door construction. In theassembling operationthe latch spindle 6 is inserted in the sleeve 10 from its open end, thesquared portion'being drawn through the end portion in the sleeve. Thenwith the spindle rotated to bring the notch 16 of the head into registerwith the slot 17 the slide is inserted, thereby locking the spindleagainst axial movement in the sleeve. With the sfipring clip 23 placedaround the sleeve, the nal operation is to "enter the barrel lock fromthe open end of the sleeve with anv expansible spring clip 33 mounted inan annular groove 34 in the barrel. At the inner limit of travel of thebarrel, the clip 33 expands into an internal notch 35 in the sleeve 10,thereby locking the barrel against withdrawal.

When mounted on a door or other closure it will be apparent that thehandle thus described will be connected to the latch spindle so as topermit operation of the latter only when the slide 18 is positioned asshown in Figs. 2 and 4; In its other position (Figs. 1 and 3) the slideis locked in the sleeve in position to maintain the handle disconnectedI from the spindle. Unauthorized opening of the door is thus preventedand since the handle is free to rotate no damage can be done to theoperating parts by unauthorized persons.

I claim as my invention: 1. A control handle for latches and the likehaving, in combination with a rotatable spindle, a tubular casing havinga pair of diametrically alined openings, an integral head on saidspindle journaled internally of said casing and having a notch arrangedto register with one of said openings to form a transverse groove, alocking member slidably guided in said openings and movable into eitherof two positions in either of which one end of the member projectsbeyond the' periphery of said casing, and means rigid with said memberand positioned in said notch and one of said openings when said memberis in one position and positioned out of said notch when said member isin its other position.

2'. A control handle for latches and the like having, in combinationwith a rotatable spindle, a tubular casing having a pair ofdiametrically alined openings forming a transverse guideway, a lockingslide mounted for reciprocation 1n and having a length greater than saidguideway, a head integral with said spindle and rotatably mounted insaid casing said head having a notch, means rigid with said slide andpositioned for movement 'into said. notch when the latter is, byrelative rotational movement betweensaid casing and said spindle,brought into register with said guideway, and key controlled means forgoverning the actuation of said slide.

3. A control handle for latches and the like having, in combination witha rotatable spindle, a casing having a radial opening, a head withinsaid casing rigid with said spindle and having a notch adaptedtoregister with said opening, a slide reciprocable transversely of saidopening and said notch and adapted when in oneposition to lock said headand casing against relative rotation and when in another position tofree said head,

and a contracting band of resilient mfial en circling said casingexternally thereof and like having, in combination with a rotatablespindle, a tubular casing having a pair of diametrically alinedopenings, a locking slide having its opposite ends projecting throughsaid openings, a head within said casing .rigid with said spindle andadapted to be locked against rotation within the casing when said slideis in one radial position and to be freed for rotation within thecasingwhen the slide is moved into another radial position, and a spring bandengaging one end of said slide and encircling said casing but spacedlongitudinally from the opposite end of said slide.

5'. A control handle for latches and the like having, in combinationwith a rotatable spindle, a tubular casing, a head on said spin- 7 dlejournaled in said casing and withdrawable from said casing by endwisemovement of said spindle, an integral flange on said cas-c ingpreventing removal of the casing from the spindle, and a memberreciprocable trans versely of said casing to lock the casing and headagainst relative rotary and axial movements but adapted in one positionto free said head and casing for relative rotary movement.

6. A control handle for latches and the like having, in combination witha rotatable spindle, a sleeve having two diametrically disposed slots, ahollow head rigid with said spindle and 'journaled in said sleeve, saidhead having two diametrically disposed notches adapted to register withsaid slots, and a slide reciprocable transversely of said slots andhaving two lugs each positioned in one of said notches when said slideis in one position and out of the notches when said slide is in anotherposition.

' 7. A control handle for latch-es and the like having, in combinationwith-a rotatable spindle, a sleeve, a head rigid with said spindle andjournaled in said sleeve, a slide recip' rocable transversely of saidsleeve and providing a two point locking engagement between said sleeveand head'when in one position and permitting relative rotation betweenthe head and sleeve when in another position,

within and externally of said head in'one position of said slide and insaid notches in another position of the slide, and key controlled meansgoverning the movement of said slide.

9. A control handle for latches andthe like having, in combination witha rotatable spinlike having, in combination with a rotatable 1n saidcasing and having two radially spindle, a cylindrical casing into whichsaid spindle extends, a radially movable member protruding from saidcasing and operable .to lock-said spindle and said casing together, anda contracting spring band partially encircling said casing and having aportion intermediate its ends engaging said member to urge the memberinwardly.

11. A control handle for latches and the like having, in combinationwith a rotatable spindle, a casing into which said spindle extends, amember rigid with said spindle withspaced notches, a locking membermovable transversely of said casing and adapted to enter said notches,in only one angular relationship of the casing and spindle whereby tolock the spindle and casing against relative rotation.

12. A control handle for latches and the like having, in combinationwith a rotatable spindle, a casing into which said spindle extends, amember rigid with said s indle within said casing and having two raially spaced notches, a locking member movable transversely of saidcasing and.having two lugs one adapted to enter one of said notches andthe other adapted to enter the other notch when said casing and spindleare in a predetermined angular relationship, said first' mentioned lugbeing prevented from entering said last mentioned notch when the latteris positioned opposite the lug.

13. A control handle for latches and the like having, in combinationwith a rotatablespindle, a casing mto which said spindle extends, amember movable transversely of said casing and adapted when in oneposition to engage said spindle at two points spaced transversely withrespect to said spindle and when in said position to engage said casingat two points spaced transversely with-respect to said spindle andthereby lock the spindle and casing against relative rotation,saidmember being adapted for locking engagement only in one angularrelationship of said casing and spindle.

14. A control handle for latches and the like having, in combinationwith a rotatable spindle, a sleeve enclosing one end. of said spindle,a' locking member movable wlthm said sleeve between two positionsandadapted when in one position to lock said sleeve and spindle againstrelative angular movement and when in the other position to free saidsleeve for rotation about the spindle, a spring tend' lock for actuatingsaid member rotatable within said sleeve and having means engaging saidsleeve when said member is in said mg to move said locking member intosaid first mentioned position, and a barrel escutcheon plate secured tothe outside of said door and having anoutwardly projecting annularflange, a tubular casin having a handle at one end, the other cm? ofsaid casing projecting through the opening defined by said flange, aspindle rotatably j ournaled in said casing within said flange and proecting from the casing into said door for connection with the latch tobe operated, a locking member within said casing and movable into oneposition to lock said spindle and casing against relative angularmovement and into another position to free them, spring -means disposedwithin the annular space between said casing and said flange and actingto urge said member toward one of said positions, and a key controlledlock operable from the outer end of said casing and arranged to 'movesaid member into the other of said positions.

. 16. The combination with a handle having a shank and a lock actuatingspindle, of a bolt upon said shank and movable transversely thereof, anda driving member non-rotatably secured to said spindle, said drivingmember having an outwardly opening slot for engaging said bolt in one ofits positions of adjustment and said bolt having an inwardly openingslot for registering with said driving member in another of the posi-'tions of adjustment of said bolt.-

- 17. The combination with a handle having a shank and a lock actuatingspindle, of a bolt uponsaid handle and movable transversely thereof, anda driving member non-rotatably secured to said spindle, said drivingmember having a slot for engagement with said bolt in one of itspositions andsaid bolt having a slot for registering with said drivingmember'in another of the'positions of adjustment of said bolt. v

' In testimony whereof, I have hereunto aifixed my signature.

e p ROLLO. MARPLE.

